Silchar: Even as lakhs of devotees thronged the 17th-century Shiva shrine atop the 3,000-foot Bhuban Hills in Cachar district for Maha Shivaratri, many pilgrims raised concern over the deplorable condition of one of the main approach roads to the temple.Visitors alleged that the stretch from Matinagar has remained severely dilapidated for years, with little visible progress in repair or development work, causing hardship to devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage. They claimed that no significant restoration was carried out ahead of the Maha Shivaratri Mela to ensure the safety of the large number of pilgrims, who travel on foot as the road is unsuitable for vehicular traffic.
There are two main approach routes to the Bhuban Hills shrine — one from Matinagar and the other from Krishnapur. Pilgrims said nearly 60% of the Krishnapur stretch has been developed with concrete blocks, offering relatively better connectivity, while the Matinagar route continues to be neglected.The temple is accessed by a steep 17-km uphill trek from the nearest motorable point at the foothills of Bhuban. Despite the physical challenge, thousands undertake the journey every year.Sujan Deb Roy, a pilgrim from Sribhumi, said the Matinagar route, though strenuous, passes through lush forests and offers shade. “The Krishnapur route is comparatively better in condition, but the distance is longer and most of the stretch is exposed, with little forest cover,” he said.“If it rains, the route turns slippery and risky for pilgrims, especially those trekking to and from the Matinagar point,” Deb Roy added.Devotees urged the authorities to take up urgent repairs and ensure proper infrastructure before future melas.
